After over 30 years in the community – a long time counselling provider is closing its doors.
Borealis Counselling announced it will no longer be providing services due to several contributing factors.
The RMWB has been home to the counselling provider since 1987, but due to lack of funding and high rent costs – they are no longer able to provide those services.
Patsy Bevans President of Borealis’s Board of Directors tells Mix News one issue they’ve been having has been negotiating a reasonable lease agreement.
“Our leases were made about four years ago when the market price for rent was much higher than it is now and the owner of our lease is unwilling to negotiate – which for a non-profit, lease is a large part of our costs.”
Bevans adds that need in the community for counselling is at an all-time high and while it’s unfortunate their doors will be closing – they will be working to ensure their clientele is taken care of.
She notes the biggest factor to their closing is a lack of funding from their Employee and Family Assistance Program.
“Our funding came from corporate clients that wanted those services and we build up a reserve fund which helped us through some fluctuation, but since the wildfire, those reserve funds have depleted. They will be completely depleted by the end of the year.”
While they soon will no longer be able to facilitate programs, Bevans says they will make sure no one is left behind.
“We are in discussion with other organizations in the region trying to encourage them in some way to perhaps step into the void that will be created when we shut down operations.”
Counselling services can still be accessed through the RMWB, and a number of addictions, mental health and counselling services can still be found through Some Other Solutions.
Borealis will be taking clients until December 13.